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The girls got the bedrooms; the three boys shared a room in the basement. Hauldren -- an advertising copywriter who created the character -- first appeared in the ads in 1973. It worked really well for a long time, but post-recession, we saw peoples sensibilities had changed, says Meghan. The company makes, sells, and repairs furniture, specializing in custom upholstery, and operates ten showrooms throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Walter e smithe is a high end furniture store, no surprise their ads are geared towards middle aged women from high income households aka suburban moms. 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Our learning curve has been steep and long, with a lot of challenges, says Colleen, flanked by her sisters at the familys Lincoln Park location, a 10,000-square-foot boutique store. It takes work and sacrifice.. That sentiment applies to their lively commercials, too, which frequently feature the sisters chatting on a stylish couch or gathering with family members in a beautifully staged home. Like most mothers, whether theyre working or staying at home, we do what we can, she says. Contact Information. The 86-year-old patriarch of the Smithe family, Walter Edward Smithe Jr., "died . Others have been parodies of reality television shows, such as The Apprentice and The Bachelor. And it's not uncommon for their kids to make cameo appearances in advertisements or to help sort through fabric samples, "which would technically make it a five-generation business," Maureen says. It turned out so well that Tim carried along a copy to a speaking engagement. Bloomingdale Plaza. Zajdel was a driver for Victory when he made the commercial a quarter-century ago. 1 Early life; 2 Television; 3 Personal Life; 4 References; . That was the extent of his pitchman career. Further confused by the commercials now. Walter E. Smithe is a furniture company based in Itasca, Illinois. Or using a new high-tech application to keep couch fabric truly worry free from childrens spills, everything from spaghetti sauce to Kool-Aid. Then there's their father, a hardworking industry expert who leads by example and walks into any work setting saying, "We check our egos at the door.". '", "The business steadily increased since we started the commercials," Walt says. If you are ready to get grown-up furniture, this place has a very nice selection, with helpful staff who can guide you toward the proper colors, scale, and what looks nice together. The commercial included the tagline "Change the Name, Change the Luck", a reference to the Cubs' decades-long struggle to reach the World Series. They got on each other's nerves and learned to talk quickly at the dinner table if they wanted to get a word in. Press J to jump to the feed. "As furniture commercials go, what the Smithes are doing is great," he says. Visit . "It's a big responsibility. The announcement was merely an early April Fools' Day prank, although the Smithe brothers said they had received about one hundred emails from viewers who were not sure what to think. "KFC dances to beat of familiar drummers". Contents. It took the mother of six children a few years to figure out how to juggle her demanding career and busy home life. A wake will be held at Ryan-Parke Funeral Home in Park Ridge on Friday, Oct. 21, and a funeral mass will follow on Saturday, Oct. 22, and St. Paul of the Cross Church in Park Ridge. Revenue: $100 to $500 million (USD) Competitors: Linly Designs, Rieke Office Interiors, 57st Design. I'm a brand manager and their commercials make the brand seem like a discount bin. The store, which has 10 locations in the Chicago area, has been open for nearly 75 years and has faced all the challenges of . Caitie, Colleen, Maureen and Meghan Smithe represent the fourth generation helping run their Chicago-based family furniture store, Walter E. Smithe, and they're determined not to be the last. Today, they help oversee 10 showrooms, the warehouse and headquarters, working together (generally) perfectly. The Smithe sisters now serve as the face . Give yourself time to just be in a comfortable and beautiful outdoor space. - Linn Burton: He started selling appliances in Polk Bros. ads in 1953, but the majority of his 35-year TV career was spent hawking cars -- Kaisers, Frazers, Joe Rizza's Pontiacs and, most famously, Bert Weinman's Fords. First published on October 12, 2022 / 3:27 PM. With 16 1/2 children among them (Colleen is due with her third baby this month), the sisters also find work as a time to be togethersans children. When I first came on board, our industry was very much a good old boys club, says Maureen, who regularly travels to marketplaces around the country to buy merchandise. There's a lot of blurred lines, and we have to learn when to defer to each other.". This is useful in estimating the financial strength and credit risk of the company. It was founded by Walter Edward Smithe and Bill Shanahan in 1945. Chicago, IL. Nothing will be worse than the commercials they ran the last time the Cicadas were in season. The Smithe sisters have heard it all before, and they've set out to dispel those misperceptions. Who are these guys? "It's been about reworking how we approach visually what we want to convey about the product that we're selling," Meghan said. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Walter E. Smithe, Jr., founder of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design, has died at the age of 86, his family said. Or "Hardrock, Coco and Joe." Here, get to know this powerhouse quartet. He NEVER blinks. Its very much in line with our desire to offer the most beautiful pieces that are of the highest quality. The inky accents create a sleek statement against the white walls and lend a streamlined look to the space. You want it to succeed and do well.". One of my friends used to live near Fullerton and Western, and she would always tell people she lived near Tile Outlet. I dont think anyone in the furniture industry does advertising well. "I think it's time for us to get out of these TV commercials," Walter said. Since 1945 the company has . ", Says Tim Smithe, "Pop culture is always changing and so are we.". While their father and grandfather are still actively involved in the day-to-day, the women have taken over the companys marketing, design, advertising and buying effortsand immediately went about altering brand perceptions. "They go a long way with a limited budget through the use of creativity," he says. The brothers are recognized on the street, in grocery stores and coffee shops ("I got a free Starbucks latte once," Tim says). Were not trying to portray an image that working mothers can pull off everything without something falling through, Maureen says candidly. Sometimes its the only quiet I get.. Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design (Old Orchard) 17 miles. Home Cities Chicago Meet the Smithe Sisters, The new generation is shaking things up at furniture icon Walter E. Smithe. between Scott Ave. and Tower Rd., Winnetka, shophwdd.com) hosts a First Friday event on the North Shore. "By being so close and meeting so regularly, we're all in the loop with what's happening in each other's sphere. Warehouse workers go over every piece of inventory awaiting delivery with a fine-tooth comb, looking for things an untrained eye would never see. - Lynn Hauldren: Who? Walter Smithe, president of the furniture company, climbs the stairs March 21, 2017, at the Walter E. Smithe furniture store in Oak Brook, alongside his four daughters, Colleen, from left, Caitie . Woven Roman shades, a jute rug and a blonde wood vanity usher texture and warmth into the otherwise minimalist design. Please enter valid email address to continue. "We're all rolling up our sleeves and getting dirty. So is there a `Wally and the Sofa Factory' in our future?". As the fourth generation to run their family-owned Chicago furniture store, Walter. The Smithe sisters - Walter III's daughters Maureen, Meghan, Caitie, and Colleen - are also now executives at Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design and appear in the ads. But when they finally decided to accept, they knew they needed to come up with a unique and effective way to introduce themselves to the Chicago market as the new faces of Walter E. Smithe. I love incorporating an unexpected element into a room. As Caitie puts it, Theres no reason you cant use an entertainment console as a buffet in the dining room.. "And they've been able to personalize a retail chain through the use of the brothers. The Chicago native attended Fenwick High School and the University of Notre Dame. Their dad, the company's president, continued filming his signature ads with his brother, Mark, for a short period of time, Colleen said. They're nice folks. 1428, hollyhunt.com) has expanded its Great Plains textile offering with the Foreign Affair collection, which has a mix of warm and cool neutrals. We learned so much from these relationships, Colleen says. There are so many cool and unique materials being used to manufacture furniture these dayssuch as capiz shells, bone inlay, faux shagreen, concrete, rope and slate. ", Instead they talk about the U2/iTunes takeoff, the brothers' version of "The Apprentice" or the Olympic parody from last year. You may have noticed a change lately in those Walter E. Smithe . Cindy went to college in Iowa and settled there after school. Receive a 20 percent discount on sofas, love seats, sectionals, chaises, and more at Cassona (5241 N. Clark St., cassona.com) through March 13. Newlyweds can now register for exclusive honeymoon stays and experiences at 23 of Auberge Resorts Collections luxury hotels and resorts worldwide More, With two movies out this winter, the actress and producer Salma Hayek Pinault is at the top of her game More, The star of A Beautiful Noise, which just opened at the Broadhurst Theatre, is a big Neil Diamond fan More, The writer and actor makes his Broadway debut in his just-opened play Aint No Mo More, After flying high in the hit sequel Top Gun: Maverick, Glen Powell stars in the new film Devotion, out now More, It's not enough to just be smart. And then fate gently tapped them on their shoulder. I gave up sleep and TV, Maureen jokes. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Walter Smithe, president of the furniture company named for his grandfather, is flanked by daughters, Maureen, left, and Caitie on March 21, 2017, as theywatch his other daughters Colleen, far left, and Meghan play pingpong at the Walter E. Smithe furniture store in Oak Brook. He cites the U2 music video takeoff. We strive to bring our clients the best in home furnishings for every style, budget, and. Trendwise, Caitie says the color gurus at Pantone were right on when they selected a bright shade of green as Color of the Year. Edit: I have been informed that they are the daughters, not the wives. And Mark, 40, is Smithe's general counsel; he and his partner live in Lincoln Park with Petey, a 4-year-old bulldog. Spoken like the daughter of a true "shop owner," as her father Walter E. Smithe III, president of the eponymous furniture retailer calls himself. It said he passed away peacef 9615 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL 60077. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The company made its website easier to use and more modern-looking. We get that question all the time, and that was to be expected," Colleen said. I love the attention I get as a local celebrity," Mark says. 70 reviews of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design "This is a really good store for when you hit age 40 or so and realize your house still resembles a college dorm. The new generation of Smithes are featured in the company's new advertising. I can't breathe!' Lewis teamed up with Smithes merchandising team to create in-store vignettes, and also featured the store on his show. But he soon returned to the family furniture business that his father first started in 1945, and pioneered the concept of custom-order furniture in the Chicago area. 1E, kneenandco.com) continues to add to its Robbe & Berking assortment with the new Martel Bar collection, which features bar cart staples like handmade silver tumblers and cocktail coupes as well as bottle openers and nutcrackers. But one by one, they followed Maureen's lead and rejoined the family business. Tim, 41, is the vice president of sales; he and his wife have four kids and live in Winnetka. One of the first opportunities to test their compatibility was through a partnership with interior designer and TV personality Jeff Lewis. Reaching a younger demographic and expanding their clientele has required some creativity, the sisters said. Lewis Lazare. For instance, finding that perfect piece of decorative furniture that creatively doubles as a toy box for kids games, toys and video devices. We can be real nimble when we're this tight and this spread across the business.". "Pam, Bill and I are always on the watch for pop culture. All three attended St. Mary's College in Winona, Minn. Walt got an MBA at Notre Dame, Tim got one at Northwestern, and Mark got a law degree at Loyola. But always start from a place where we love each other and enjoy working together., Between the ages of 10 and 18, former Barrington High School soccer, For Olympian Patrick Gasienica, ski jumping has been a part of his, Dr. Rekha S. Rajan has devoted her personal and professional life to, One of the most prestigious dance companies in the world, The Joffrey, Saint Anne Catholic Community Churchs Project Hope ministry, A night of sequin-studded disco fever, the 5th Annual Hoosier Ball was. You may also light a candle in honor of Walter E. Smithe Jr. or send a beautiful flower arrangement to the funeral . Later, both Tim and Mark were night managers at competing convenience stores, Tim at a 7-Eleven in Niles and Mark at a Park Ridge White Hen. And now with the company's 75th anniversary approaching in August, they're ready to push forward plans to expand and evolve. Smithe then went into the computer industry working for General Electric and IBM in 1967, according to his obit. "It was kind of a neat way to kick off our involvement in the business as a group.". How could the Itasca-based company break the mold and reach a new audience while still carrying its message into a fourth generation? It's fun to be part of Chicago in that way.". So I'm speaking, and they're half listening, you know. Instead of starring third-generation brothers Walter III, Tim, and Mark, the new ones put the spotlight on fourth-generation sisters Caitie, Meghan, Maureen, and Colleen. Dont burden yourself with the boredom of a matching wood set. (He's now semi-retired, having turned the business over to his sons about 10 years ago.). And in between the entertainment were his folksy commercials for Courtesy Motors -- his cars were "honeys" and "sweeties" -- which at one point was the world's largest Ford dealer. This led to the development of Walter E. Smithe Furniture & Design. Smithe was born in 1936 to Margaret Slifka and Walter E. Smithe Sr., and grew up on the Northwest Side in Belmont Central. Smithe guy Walt actually Walter Smithe III 45 is president and general manager of the. Tim recalls Walt trying to smother him -- repeatedly, apparently -- with a bean bag chair. The new campaign, dubbed Smithe Family Makeovers, showcases Smithe furniture in the homes of actual clients, revealing the handiwork of the companys designers in HGTV-esque episodes. Then they tie in pop culture it shows that they're sort of a with-it furniture company. Walter E. Smithe and Bill Shanahan founded the store anticipating a booming economy in the wake of World War II. Oct 2012 - Apr 20152 years 7 months. The sisters laughed at hearing this family adage, knowing that home furnishing has been woven into the tapestry of their lives. William Hageman and Tribune staff reporter. Tim offered Walt brotherly support after a just-completed scene. The company has become known over the years in particular for its quirky TV commercials Chicago TV viewers have long known the jingle, "Walter E. Smithe, you dream it we build it." 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Favorite design style: Modern mixed with traditional. "So that drove us, I think, to be successes.". Now, a lot more people know about us than knew a few years ago.". He began working in the . Jeff Lewis's collection of vignettes is available at Walter E. Smithe's 11 showrooms in Chicago, and online. With 10 years of advertising industry experience, Smithe Parker, daughter of President Walter E. Smithe III, has worked with high-profile advertising agencies in Chicago. In a new seven-minute "Smithe Family Makeover" video, you'll only see one Smithe brother and you'll only hear the new version of the familiar jingle if you watch all the way through to the credits. Last edited on 17 December 2022, at 02:33, https://incfact.com/company/walteresmithefurniture-itasca-il/, Walter E. Smithe gives royal treatment to Royal Manner. "They took different career paths," Tim says. His line was, `If you can talk you can breathe.'". and became working moms in different industries. College was a turning point for the sisters, who now call one another their best friends. Since 1945, we have been Chicago's local source for quality furniture and expert design. The journey from Point A to Point B started with an all-blooper and outtakes reel that O'Neil and Tim Smithe put together as a birthday gift for mom Florence. In fact, none of the sisters seriously considered having a career in the company, founded by their great-grandfather in 1945. Edited to add: Looked them up and gee, it's one of the daughters managing the marketing. That can help Walter E. Smithe differentiate itself from the growing number of lower-priced furniture retailers that have moved into the Chicago area in the past couple of years, Walter Smithe said. "We're kind of strategically positioned in different departments," Meghan said. They've relaunched catalogs showcasing their furniture in fully designed spaces. 74% of employees would recommend working at Walter E. Smithe Furniture and Design to a friend and 70% have a positive outlook for the business.